Hiking allows you to immerse yourself in nature, challenge your endurance, and take in breathtaking vistas.
If you're looking to conquer the most scenic and rewarding trails, here are some of the best places to hike around the world!
1. Rakiura Track, New Zealand
- Location: Near Oban, Stewart Island
The Rakiura Track on Stewart Island, New Zealand, offers hikers an immersive experience into the country’s untouched wilderness. This 20-mile trail leads through lush forests, rocky shores, and picturesque beaches. As you walk, you might spot the iconic kiwi bird feeding at night. The trail offers huts and campsites ranging from $5 to $60 per night.
2. Greater Patagonian Trail, Chile and Argentina
- Location: Santiago, Chile to Navarino Island, Chile
The Greater Patagonian Trail is the ultimate adventure for those seeking a truly off-the-beaten-path hiking experience. Stretching 1,900 miles through Chile and Argentina, this trail weaves through tiny roads and vast, unexplored areas.
3. Ocean to Lake Trail, Florida, USA
- Location: Lake Okeechobee to Hobe Sound Beach
The Ocean to Lake Trail in Florida provides a unique contrast to the state’s usual busy urban areas. This trail offers a peaceful escape through swamps, pine forests, and cypress groves. It’s part of the 1,200-mile Florida Trail and offers an easier hike compared to longer through-hikes.
4. Route K, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
- Location: Entrance Station 1
Known for its sapphire and emerald lakes, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is a hiker’s paradise. Route K offers a stunning hike through the park, connecting the lower and upper lakes.
5. Backbone Trail, California, USA
- Location: Point Mugu to Will Rogers State Historic Park
The Backbone Trail in California is one of the most scenic hikes in the United States, running across the Santa Monica Mountains and offering stunning ocean views.
6. Chilkoot Trail, Alaska
- Location: Dyea, Alaska to Bennett Lake, British Columbia
For those who love history, the Chilkoot Trail offers a powerful connection to the past. This historic route, once used by Tlingit traders and later by prospectors during the Klondike gold rush, weaves through the rugged Coast Mountains.
7. Trans-Bhutan Trail, Bhutan
- Location: Haa (west) to Trashigang (east)
The Trans-Bhutan Trail is a breathtaking journey through the Himalayas, offering an immersive experience in the heart of Bhutan’s unique culture. Once used by couriers and pilgrims, this ancient route was recently reopened after decades of disrepair.
8. Sinai Trail, Egypt
- Location: Serabit el-Khadim (west) to Ras Shaitan (east)
The Sinai Trail takes you through the dramatic and stark landscape of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. This 340-mile trail traces desert sands, rugged mountains, and lush oases, with a deep sense of history at every step.
9. Hayduke Trail, Utah and Arizona
- Location: Arches National Park (east) to Zion National Park (west)
For those craving a challenge, the Hayduke Trail is one of the most demanding and rewarding hikes in the U.S. Spanning 812 miles through the rugged desert landscape of the Colorado Plateau, this unsanctioned trail crosses five national parks, including Zion and Arches.
10. Olomana Trail, Oahu
- Location: Olamana Ridge Trailhead (north) to Ahiki (south)
The Olomana Trail in Oahu is not for the faint-hearted. Located just ten miles from Honolulu, this thrilling trail offers some of the most stunning views of the island's coastline, but it comes with a steep price—its treacherous sections.
Hiking offers an unparalleled connection to nature, allowing adventurers to explore the world’s most stunning landscapes!
Top 10 Hiking Trails in the World | EXPLORE the Best Trails in the World
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